Michael Jackson, seemingly on a self-appointed crusade for the rights of black
artists, may have trouble finding sympathy among other members of the African-A
merican music community, Billboard reports in its July 20 issue. As one high-le
vel black executive says, "You could throw a dart at the R&B chart and find alm
ost any artist who would have more resonance on this issue than Michael Jackson."
A multi-platinum black artist declined to comment specifically on the Jackson a
llegations but said of his own major-label dealings, "I think I've gotten a fai
r shake. Anything that happened negatively, I don't think had to do with the color of my skin."
But Jackson does have the support of activist Rev. Al Sharpton, who operates th
e National Action Network, and attorney Johnnie Cochran, who has assisted Jackson on legal matters for more than 10 years.
Jackson is accusing Sony, parent of Epic Records -- for whom Jackson has record
ed for more than 20 years -- of not properly promoting his October release, "In
vincible," because he is black. The album has sold 1.99 million units in the U.
S., according to Nielsen SoundScan, and a total of 5.1 million units worldwide,
according to Sony. Sources say the album cost $30 million to make, and Sony spent an additional $25 million marketing the project.
Jackson personally attacked Sony Music Entertainment chairman Thomas D. Mottola
during a July 6 rally, calling him racist and "devilish," while holding up a p
hoto of Mottola with devil's horns drawn on it. In addition, Jackson turned his
rally into a civil-rights campaign, adding that by supporting him, his fans were "fighting for all black people, dead or alive."
In a statement, Sony responded: "We were deeply offended by the outrageous comm
ents Mr. Jackson made . . . We can only say that Sony Music spared no expense i
n creating a series of global marketing, promotion, and publicity campaigns in support of ["Invincible"]."
According to sources, Jackson's deal with Sony is up in 2004, and he will fulfi
ll it by delivering a greatest-hits album featuring four new songs. A Sony rep
says there is no release date set for such a project. Additionally, the rep say
s releasing more singles from "Invincible" is possible, "but no decision has been reached yet."
Jackson, Sharpton, Cochran, and Jackson's manager, Trudy Green, all declined to comment by deadline.
http://www.billboard.com/billboard/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1541529
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I'm headed for the border It's on my mind
And nothin' really matters
I've got to be on time Look in the view mirror
Is he hot on my tracks？ Is he getting nearer？
I feel some heat on my back
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